Right of way, turns and intersections in Nunavut

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at an uncontrolled intersection.
• You can handle a four-way stop correctly.
• You can make a safe left turn across oncoming traffic.
• You can explain when a right turn on red is allowed.
• You can enter a traffic circle correctly.

What you need to know and understand

• A driver approaching an intersection must yield to traffic already in it.
• The first driver to reach an intersection has the right of way.
• If two drivers arrive at the same time on different roads, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• A driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic that is in the intersection or too close to turn safely, and to an oncoming driver turning right.
• At a four-way stop, vehicles go in the order they arrived and stopped.
• When leaving a driveway, lane or private road, yield to all traffic and pedestrians on the road.

Intersections with no signs or lights

Section 204 of the Traffic Safety Act sets three simple rules. Yield to anyone already in the intersection. Whoever arrives first goes first. If you arrive at the same time as a driver on another road, the one on the left lets the one on the right go. Slow down before every such intersection so you can stop if needed, and look out for ATVs and snowmobiles that may not follow the rules.

Four-way stops and stop signs

At a stop sign where you are entering a through road, you must yield to traffic in the intersection and to traffic on the through road that is too close to let you cross safely.

1. Come to a full stop before the intersection (at the stop line or crosswalk if there is one).
2. Note which vehicles stopped before you.
3. Let them go in the order they arrived.
4. Go when it is your turn and the way is clear, watching for pedestrians.

Turning safely

For a left turn, move into position early, signal, and wait for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians to clear. If an oncoming driver is turning right into the same road, they go first. For a right turn, stay close to the right and do not swing left first. Where traffic lights exist, a right turn on a red light is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, and you must yield to pedestrians and to traffic already approaching. Check mirrors and blind spots before every turn.

Traffic circles

The Nunavut Driver's Manual explains that traffic entering a circle yields to traffic already in it, and that you should leave in the same lane you used inside the circle. You may meet circles mostly when driving outside the territory, but they can appear on the knowledge test.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the bigger road has priority at an unmarked intersection. Use the first-to-arrive and yield-to-the-right rules.
• Rolling through a four-way stop. Every driver must come to a full stop.
• Turning left in front of an oncoming right-turner. They have the right of way.
• Pulling out of a driveway without stopping for pedestrians on the walkway or road edge.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Nunavut

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut
• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Nunavut
• Nunavut impaired driving and zero tolerance for new drivers